Thandres

Domains: Luck, Pleasure, Hope

Thandres is the Stewardess of both luck and pleasure. Those who earn their favor find themselves incredibly blessed, while those who earn their ire learn to hate their wretched existences. Nearly every town has at least a shrine to Thandres, and every city has a temple or two.

Thandres as a Mortal

Thandres began life as a beautiful young daughter of a king. She lived a hedonistic lifestyle, always seeking to explore a new vice or find some new pleasure. This fact drove her father into intense ranges, because Thandres was brilliant. He knew that she could be anything she set her mind to, but nothing interested her save pleasure.

So he disowned her. Thandres was cast out of his palace, and an edict was spread throughout the land that any who gave succor to his daughter would be put to death. This left Thandres in a difficult position, as she had no one to turn to.

She left her father’s kingdom and set out to make a new life for herself. Having never done anything for herself this was enormously difficult, but within a few months she’d adjusted. Her intelligence and beauty helped her find a place in the world, but not nearly so much as when she catalized as a drean mage.

Thandres caught the attention of an adventuring band when the leader fell in love with her. They escorted her to several catalysts, and before long she’d become a mage of incredible power. She’d also mastered the more stealthy arts, which served her well over the years.

By the time Rei found her Thandres was a world renowed thief and illusionist. When she awoke one morning to find herself atop Mount Shyar she assumed Rei must want to sleep with her, so she disrobed. No one knows for sure what his reaction might have been, though when the subject is brought up Thandres often wears a satisfied smile.

Rei explained that the world was in terrible danger, and that only through the collective efforts of the men and women he’d elevated could it be saved. He wanted Thandres to join them, because while she was fickle she was also powerful, perceptive and generally fair.

Thandres agreed largely because she was curious about the experience of being elevated to a Stewards, nor was she disappointed. Rei gave her a silvery neck torque of incredible power. He explained to her the concept of worship, and that she’d need to entice followers if she wished to increase her power.

Elevated by Rei

Thandres used her newfound powers to spread pleasure and luck to anyone who pleased her. Before long those people learned that if they worshipped her they tended to enjoy her favor. More and more people sent her whispered prayers. After all, who didn’t want to be lucky?

The other Stewards often resented Thandres, as they couldn’t understand why Rei would have elevated someone with her temperment to the office of a Steward. Thandres understood though. She’d been elevated, because she filled a critical role none of the others understood.

A man without pleasure has no real reason to live. His life becomes a dull and meaningless. For those who already have no hope the prospect of a Steward who could bring them great fortune gave them a reason to continue living.

Thandres served both roles. She brought hope to the downtrodden, and pleasure to those who had very little to live for. It helped that she greatly enjoyed her work, for it allowed her to spread hedonism across the continent.

Orders of Thandres

The Temple of Thandres– Thandres only has one official order, though untold thousands pray to her daily. Her temples are found in any city over a few thousand people, though most of the other dedicated will argue the fact that they are temples.

The reason is because the Temples of Thandres exist to cater to the whims of patrons. They provide sex, drugs, massage, companionship or anything else that might bring pleasure. The dedicated who have pledged themselves to Thandres are the ones who offer such pleasures, and they dutifully attend to every need their patron might have.

They do not charge for their services, but patrons are expected to make a donation. Those that do not often find themselves the target of Thandres’s ire, and bad luck is not something anyone wants to end up cursed with.